About this role
Security Associate Job Description
Position: Security Associate
Department: Thrift Store
Reports to: Thrift Store Manager
FLSA Classification: Non-exempt
Full-time/part-time: Part-time, 20 hours per week, Monday-Friday, ideally from 3:15 - 7:15 pm (with flexible start time), occasional Saturday coverage
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Summary
The Security Associate is responsible for helping maintain a safe, secure, welcoming, and orderly environment for customers, donors, employees, volunteers, program participants, and New Life Center property. The primary focus of this position is to provide a visible and approachable security presence on the sales floor, remain alert to potential security concerns, respond to disruptive or concerning behavior, assist with de-escalation and incident response, and maintain a safe and orderly store environment.
While maintaining an active security presence, the Security Associate will assist with sales floor responsibilities including customer service, stocking, merchandising, store organization, and other retail duties as assigned. The Security Associate will be cross-trained in Sales Associate functions to provide additional store support based on operational and security needs.
At New Life Center, our work is rooted in our Christian faith and driven by our mission to guide people experiencing homelessness or addiction toward holistic transformation through the love of Jesus. Every role contributes to this ministry and advances our shared vision. Our team members are followers of Jesus Christ, affirm our Statement of Faith, and demonstrate our BEACON values—Bring Your Best, Engage with Empathy, Act in Unity, Choose Humility, Offer Hope, and Never Stop Growing—in the way they serve guests, support one another, and represent New Life Center each day.
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Essential Functions
Essential Function 1: Security, Incident Response, and Communication
- Maintain a visible, attentive, and approachable security presence primarily on the sales floor, regularly circulating and observing customer activity.
- Monitor security cameras, surveillance systems, and alarms as assigned, and respond appropriately to observed concerns.
- Respond promptly to security incidents and employee requests for assistance, using calm and respectful crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
- Address individuals engaging in unsafe or prohibited behavior or violating store policies, and direct individuals to leave the store or property when warranted.
- Exercise sound judgment and make appropriate decisions within established policies and procedures, including when store management is not present.
- Contact New Life Centers Safety Team, law enforcement, fire, or emergency responders when circumstances warrant.
- Stay current on applicable safety and security procedures.
- Maintain accurate incident reports and communicate significant incidents or ongoing concerns to the Thrift Store Manager and appropriate leadership.
- Maintain a safe, welcoming, and orderly environment while treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
Essential Function 2: Closing Security and Facility Oversight
- Conduct an end-of-day security check of the building and designated interior and exterior areas.
- Verify doors, storage containers, and other designated areas are properly secured at closing.
- Identify and respond appropriately to evidence of tampering, damage, unauthorized access, or other security concerns.
- Ensure the facility is secured according to established closing procedures.
- Accompany closing employees to their vehicles at the end of the evening.
- Identify and report facility, lighting, or other conditions that may create a safety or security concern.
- Maintain accountability for assigned security equipment and ensure its proper use and care.
Essential Function 3: Sales Floor Coverage
- Process sales transactions, accurately and efficiently collecting payments.
- Provide excellent customer service, answering questions and promoting roundups.
- Ensure the accuracy of the cash drawer at beginning and end of day.
- Maintain assigned areas of the store to ensure areas are clean, organized, and customer friendly.
- Stock and merchandise sales floor as directed by team leads or management.
- Remain attentive to security concerns while performing sales floor duties and prioritize security responsibilities when intervention is needed.
Essential Function 4: Processing Coverage
- Provide fast, friendly service to donors by accepting and unloading their donated goods.
- Receive and sort donations, evaluating and pricing under team lead oversight.
- Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of the processing area.
- Help move product through processing, and stock and merchandise as directed.
- Assist processing staff with organization of donated goods in appropriate places.
- Answer customer questions and assist customers as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
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ADA & Reasonable Accommodation
New Life Center complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Qualified individuals are considered for positions based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable law unless doing so would cause undue hardship or pose a direct threat to safety.
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Position Reports to Jeanna Beyer, Thrift Store Manager
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This job description identifies the major responsibilities of this job. It does not include all aspects of the position such as the potential additional duties assigned by the Thrift Store Manager, the requirement for flexibility in helping others, or the highly valued team-oriented approach used for the overall benefit and success of New Life Center.
Qualifications
Personal:
- Personal, evident, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Compassionate heart for those in need.
- Willingness to serve others.
- Desire to see the lost transformed through the love of Christ.
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Required Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
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Preferred Education and Experience:
- Prior security, safety, low prevention, corrections, crisis response, retail, customer service, or related experience preferred.
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Additional Eligibility Requirements:
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test and background check.
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Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Conflict resolution and de-escalation abilities.
- Strong situational awareness and attention to detail.
- Ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment in stressful situations.
- Customer service orientation.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
- Demonstrated reliability, attendance, and punctuality.
- Basic computer skills.
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Work Environment:
- This position functions primarily on the sales floor of a thrift store, with additional responsibilities in processing, warehouse, and designated exterior areas.
- Frequent walking and standing are required throughout the shift.
- Ability to lift loads up to 50 lbs.
- Exposure to potentially stressful, tense, or confrontational situations.
- Must maintain attentiveness and situational awareness while simultaneously performing retail responsibilities.
- Medium-duty equipment such as forklifts may be in use in warehouse and processing areas; appropriate safety considerations are required.
- This position works in a recovery-adjacent environment and requires adherence to professional boundaries, respectful workplace conduct, and organizational policies.
- Must be available to work assigned shifts, including evenings and weekends, based on store needs.
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Religious Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ)
New Life Center is a faith-based Christian ministry. Consistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alignment with New Life Center's Statement of Faith and values may be considered a bona fide occupational qualification (BFOQ) for this position. Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the organization's Christian mission, beliefs, and code of conduct.